Government book week has seen 40 schools in Hawke's Bay receive books hand-delivered by MPs as part of the Duffy Books in Homes programme.
Started by Alan Duff at Camberley School in 1992, the programme now operates throughout New Zealand, Australia, England and America - with 5000 Hawke's Bay children receiving
free books.
Camberley School principal Pat Watson says children are given the books throughout the school year from new entrants until they finish Year 6.
"These little ones might only have a couple, but if you go over and see the Year 6s, some of them would have over 100 by now."
Mr Watson says the books are delivered each term, and children choose the ones they are interested in.
One of the MPs supporting the scheme recently is the Minister of Education, Anne Tolley. Ms Tolley says the initiative sends an important message to students.
"I know that, like me, the politicians enjoy their time in schools and the opportunity to encourage a love of reading and promoting the inspirational message: 'it's cool to read and cool to achieve'," she says.
